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We love Starbucks Cake Pops. There is just something about these bite size cake on a stick that makes me and my kids happy. I love having them with my coffee and now I can make them at home.

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Close up image of pink cake pops in a mason jar.

Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe:

My kids love stopping to get drinks for the cake pops. We love making cake pops so I knew I could recreate this sweet treat at home.

I love figuring out ways to make my favorite coffee shop treats at home. I know that I can make them with less ingredients, budget friendly and they usually taste better.

My kids were happy how they turned out. Now they want to make them all the time.

What are the ingredients:

When researching the ingredients for these bite size cake, as you can imagine there was a lot of ingredients that I couldn’t even pronounce. I like that my recipe contains simple ingredients.

When I make copycat recipes, my goal is simplify the ingredients list as well as making it budget friendly. Most of the time my family thinks they taste better.

Close up image of pink cake pops in a mason jar.

Ingredients: 

  • Classic Vanilla Cake Mix  – Plus the ingredients called for on box to make the cake 
  • Vanilla Frosting – I used the the pre-made frosting
  • Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks 
  • Pink Candy Melts 
  • White Sprinkles 

How to Make Starbucks Cake Pops: 

  • Make cake mixture in a large bowl and bake according to box instructions. Then let the cake cool at room temperature.  
  • Remove the cake from the pan.  Remove the brown outside layer from the cake and throw away.  Crumble up the remaining cake and the cake crumbs into a large mixing bowl.
The process of making the cake and making them into balls.
  • Add the frosting to your crumbled cake and stir everything together until well combined.
  • Shape mixture into about 24-36 cake balls (depending on their size) and place on a lined baking sheet. I used a cookie scoop to ensure that each one is approximately the same size.  
  • Put the pink candy melts in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.  Then continue to heat in 30 second intervals.
  • If you can’t find pink candy melts, you can use food coloring of your choice.
The process of dipping the cake balls in the candy melt.
  • Dip each cake pop stick into the melted candy and then place them into the cake balls about halfway threw the balls.  Then place in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
  • After the cake pops have been in the freezer.  Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts (you may need to melt again if it has solidified some).  Make sure that the candy covers the cake pop completely.  Allow the excess melted candy to drip off back into the bowl.
  • Then place the stick of cake pops in a block of Styrofoam to hold the cake pops while the candy dries and solidifies.  Add the sprinkles immediately before the candy dries.  
  • Cover all cake pops with candy melts. Once all the cake pops are dry, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
Close up image of a pink cake ball with white sprinkles.

Can you make them ahead of time?

Yes, we make these ahead of time. I prepare the cake and roll into balls. Then place them in the refrigerator for up to a month. When you are ready to decorate, just pull them out and complete the process.

The Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops and Chocolate Cake Pops are my kids favorite. So I always make sure to have them prepared for their birthday.

Close up image of pink cake pops near a mason jar.

How much does a Cake Pop cost?

When we go to get coffee the cost of their cake pops range from about $2 -$4. With my big family, that can very expensive real quick.

You can easily make around 24 for the cost of two at Starbucks. So that is definitely a huge savings making them at home.

Close up image of pink cake pops in a mason jar.

Print Recipe here for Starbucks Cake Pops:

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Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe

5 from 130 votes
We love Starbucks Cake Pops. These bite size cake on a stick taste amazing. I am glad that I can make this easy copycat recipe at home.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Freeze 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 24
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 111
Author Eating on a Dime

Ingredients

  • 1 box classic cake mix (ingredients called for on box to make the cake)
  • 3 Tbsp Vanilla Frosting I used pre-made
  • 24-36 Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks
  • 12 oz Pink Candy Melts
  • White Sprinkles

Instructions

  • Make cake and bake according to box instructions. Then let the cake cool at room temperature.
  • Remove the cake from the pan.  Remove the brown outside layer from the cake and throw away.  Crumble up the remaining cake into a large bowl.
  • Add the frosting to your crumbled cake and stir everything together until well combined.
  • Shape mixture into about 24-36 cake balls (depending on their size) and place on a lined cookie sheet. I used a cookie scoop to ensure that each one is approximately the same size.
  • Put the pink candy melts in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.  Then continue to heat in 30 second intervals stirring between each one until the candy melts are fully melted and creamy.
  • Dip each cake pop stick into the pink melted candy and then place them into the cake balls about halfway threw the balls.  Then place in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
  • After the cake pops have been in the freezer.  Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts (you may need to remelt if it has solidified some).  Make sure that the candy covers the cake pop completely.  Allow the excess melted candy to drip off back into the bowl.
  • Then place the stick of cake pops in a block of styrofoam while the candy dries and solidifies.  Add the sprinkles immediately before the candy dries.
  • Continue until all the cake pops have been covered.  Once all the cake pops are dry, they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can use white almond bark instead of the candy melts for the outside coating if you prefer.  Use food coloring to dye it pink prior to dipping the cake pops in the mixture. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories 111kcal, Carbohydrates 19g, Protein 1g, Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 1g, Sodium 126mg, Potassium 1mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 14g, Calcium 7mg, Iron 1mg

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More Starbucks Recipe to try:

These Starbucks Copycat birthday cake pops are perfect for birthday parties, baby showers and for just because too. These Starbucks Cake Pops can easily be recreated at home. These Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops are easy to make and taste just like the ones from the coffee shop! #eatingonadime #starbucksrecipes #cakepops #copycatrecipes 
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Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Comments

  1. These look great. This is exactly how I make mine. Just an FYI from someone who makes a LOT of cake pops. You recommend adding food coloring to the candy melts or almond bark, however many brands do not recommend adding certain colorings because it can cause the coating to seize or turn grainy. I would recommend buying precolored coatings or checking the manufacturer instructions on the product you are using if you plan to use coloring.